California court rules drivers can read maps on cell phones

California – A California appeals court has determined that it is legally permissible for drivers in the state to read maps on cell phones. As reported by the Associated Press (AP), the 5th District Court of Appeal reversed the case of a man who challenged a fine he received in 2012 for looking at a map on his smart phone while in traffic.

The driver, Steven Spriggs, says he grabbed his cellphone to look for an alternative route after getting stuck in traffic due to roadwork.

Spriggs appealed the case to a three-judge panel in Fresno County Superior Court, after losing in traffic court. His case was lost there before the state appeal’s court ruling on Thursday.

Spriggs, who says that although his case was won, he would like to see the law rewritten so that officers can effectively do their job in stopping drivers from engaging in dangerous driving behaviors, is quoted by the AP as stating, “We’re distracted all the time… If our distractions cause us to drive erratically, we should be arrested for driving erratically.”